Pakistan announces serial production of advanced JF-17 Thunder aircraft
PAF personnel stand guard in front of 14 dual-seat JF-17B multi-role aircraft rolled out at a ceremony at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra on Wednesday. AFP
Tariq Butt, Correspondent
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has formally announced serial production of the most advanced variant of JF-17 Thunder Block III - a 4.5-generation aircraft with far more advanced technology than IAF’s Rafael jets.
A ceremony at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra, also witnessed the handing over of 14 state-of-the-art indigenously developed dual-seat JF-17B Thunder Block-II fighter jets to the air force.
On the other hand, Pakistan Navy Air Defence Units demonstrated their combat readiness through live firing of surface to air missiles (SAMs).
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, while addressing the handing over the ceremony of the newly-built dual-seat JF-17B Thunder jets at PAC Kamra, termed the inclusion of jets in the national fleet as a significant milestone achieved in the history of the country.
He said the JF-17 Thunder was proved as a battle tested aircraft during successful expression of mastery in Operation Swift Retort against IAF intrusion of territorial sovereignty on Feb.27, 2019.
The ceremony also marked the announcement of serial production of PAF’s most advanced 4.5 generation JF-17 Thunder Block III jets.
The air chief commended the in-time completion of the project by the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) team of the PAC involved in the development of the advance generation of the dual seater JF-17B Thunder and Block-III jets version.
"The year of 2019 has been very challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it disturbed life all over the world. It also inflicted serious impacts on the PAC project of JF-17B Thunder Block-III as the entire complex has remained under lockdown.”
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar proudly said that PAC Kamra had upheld its traditions despite the most challenging times of the pandemic. "I would like to commend the entire team and PAC leadership including chairman PAC and Managing Director AMF for their concerted efforts to meet the project deadlines.” PAC, he said, was the backbone of PAF operational readiness and had displayed their capabilities to meet challenges with limited resources at the optimum level.
The air chief also extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence Production and Chinese Aviation Industry for their continuous support.
"The dual seat version of JF-17B and the production of Block-III marks the achievement of a significant milestone as it will play an important and significant role in geostrategic milieu due to the technology installed in the modern aircraft.”
He mentioned that the project’s completion was not possible without the assistance of Chinese experts, engineers and technicians and this project had further solidified the Pak-China friendship and bilateral defence ties.
The air chief acknowledged the role of media at all levels including print, electronic and social media for highlighting Pak-China friendship and collaboration under CPEC and JF-17B Thunder production. He urged the media to further promote the Pak-China ties and collaboration in a positive manner.
